The American Humane Association does make a difference. During the 30+years that my wife, Linda Peddie, D.V.M., and I have worked on film locations where trained animal actors were being used, we have witnessed American Humane Association's representatives effectively intercede on behalf of the animal actors and their trainers when the requested filming action had the potential risk for injury or worse. There is no question that these highly trained American Humane Association's film unit representatives do play a major role in seeing that animal actors receive the respect and care which they deserve.
James F. Peddie, D.V.M.

This organization has turned around tremendously. They continue to do excellent work and are now doing so in a financially responsible manner. Staff at all levels seem dedicated to their work. They are dedicated to their mission.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Hire more people, finances permitting. Appear to be stretched thin given that they have so many programs.

There is a review (two reviews below this one) that came from someone with the screen name "hstubis" . . . Whoops! Guess the so-called higher ups aren't being very careful about disguising their ridiculous efforts to keep positive results posted; Mark Stubis is the head of PR.

I think even the glowing reviews of American Humane should be enough to ward off any potential donors, seeing as how they're a screamingly obvious attempt by the management to keep the overall rating high, keep the good reviews on top, and I suppose to discredit the real reviews, too. Surely this says everything about where your money will go if you donate to American Humane: you'll be helping to pay the salaries of people who actually sit around writing incredibly stupid, fake reviews about their workplace.

Delusional new CEO Robin Ganzert has destroyed this once-decent organization. She’s fired all the people that did good work helping children and animals with her executive buddies who get paid an awful lot of money to sit around, pat each other's backs, and come up with asinine ways to make more money and get more publicity. If you donate to the American Humane Association, you can rest assured that your money will go to what Ms. Ganzert considers worthy causes: funding these executive salaries, giving a humanitarian award to Martha Stewart (yes, really), hobnobbing with various C-list celebrities, and flying around the country (or out of the country, like her recent trip to Japan) to get her face and name in as many news articles as possible. But knowing that they can’t count on the general public to fund all of their jet-setting and lavish parties and doggie award shows, the management has made sure to partner with some really evil mega-corporations, like Pfizer and Proctor and Gamble (because nothing says we care about children and animals like taking money from corporations that kill children and animals). They are constantly making a point of congratulating themselves for making more money and getting more publicity but never say a word about the good work that is being done for children and animals - - probably because no good work is happening anymore. Before Robin Ganzert took over, I loved my job and believed in what I was doing, and now I’m thrilled to be gone and wouldn’t want to touch this super-corporate organization with a 40-foot pole. Disgruntled? Absolutely! It’s a hollow shell of what it used to be. Robin doesn’t care at all about the animals or children and once she’s finished ruining the American Humane Association, she’ll be trying to move on to work where her slimy, despicable behavior is better suited: politics. (Does anyone really think it’s a coincidence she killed the Denver headquarters, and put the new headquarters in Washington DC?)

As with the current Glass Door reviews by employees and former employees, it appears as if the majority of these "reviews" are done by current CEO's or board members to bolster a sagging organization, quickly proving itself to be irrelevant. Although the Red Star program is one of their only viable and enviable programs, even they will soon be without jobs and without a mission if the current CEO has her way. She has gutted a once proud organization with complete lack of compassion or animal knowledge and has slashed staff by over 65%. Mostly lay-offs of those who had worked with AH for many, many years. Almost all laid off without severance, logic or compassion. The Film & TV Unit continues to be a smoke screen for the entertainment industry and as evidenced by the media all too well recently, in the filming of the HBO series Luck, horses are still being killed for entertainment and this is often hidden from the public while productions are given the ever-ready rubber stamp. I believe this organization is quickly on it's way out and these bolstered reviews are a last-ditch effort to save a sinking ship. It pays to be a CEO in the organization, as it appears as if those are the only jobs safe at the moment. The outside world has little respect for the organization and most don't even know of its existence, continually confusing it with HSUS and ASPCA. Instead of putting the organization on the map, the current CEO has obliterated it completely. Current high level management has virtually no animal experience, education or knowledge and it shows. Employees are often not treated with respect and retaliation is a common occurrence. Check out the Glass Door reviews for the real story.

According to Internal Revenue Service rules, nonprofit organization is supposed to work for the public benefit.The board of directors has the responsibility of protecting the public benefit. The “new” CEO pronounced early on that signature events were going to be a high priority. However, the events have not brought the desired financial success but yet these events are valued over the organization’s mission Recently, staff were intimated and threatened into walking in the Hollywood Christmas Parade carrying a 20-foot balloon dog which had a price tag of $40,000. Even more egregious, directive has been given to spend money foolishly so they don’t have to give it back their grantors at the end of their fiscal year. Nonprofits have an obligation to act as responsible stewards in managing their financial resources.

Although a once historic and honorable organization, American Humane Association (AHA) is now a non-profit organization with negligent employee management, unfit leadership and questionable fundraising practices.

INHUMANE RELATIONS
During the organization’s recent downsizing process, employees who had been with the organization for more than five years were laid off without severance pay. Staff members were told explicitly that they could continue their work if they moved to another office location, and then—after agreeing to the move—were laid off. Office closure announcements were made and then changed multiple times.

INCOMPETENCE IN HIGH PLACES
Many of AHA’s senior leaders lack sufficient expertise and competence in their field. There are several department heads who continually make poor choices for the organization and often rely on junior staff members for real expertise.

DISHONEST DONOR DEALINGS
As it has courted potential partners, AHA has sacrificed the integrity of its donor relations. More specifically, AHA has both sold and given away its email lists, as well as actively facilitated the distribution of commercial advertisements to its constituents.

For all of these reasons, I could not, in good conscience, recommend American Humane Association as a place to seek employment or to contribute charitable funds.

(Please note: American Humane Association is NOT affiliated with your local humane society.)